Treatment of polypeptide fibres

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a process for dyeing polypeptide fibres which comprises dyeing said fibres with an anionic dyestuff in the presence of (1) at least one polyoxyalkylenated non-ionic dispersing agent resulting from the condensation of an alkylene oxide with an aliphatic alcohol or an alkylphenol and (2) at least one polyoxyalkylenated condensate resulting from the condensation of an alkylene oxide with an aliphatic amine containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms and esterification with an oxygen-containing polyacid. There are also provided compositions comprising said dispersing agents and said polyoxyalkylenated condensates.

United States Patent 1191 Senez 1451 0a. 16-, 1973 TREATMENT OF POLYPEPTIDE FIBRES 3,218,116 11/1965 'Casty et al. .L 8/54 [75} lnventor: Claude Jean Michel Senez,

Chantilly France Primary Examiner-Leon D. Rosdol Assistant ExaminerT. J. Herbert, Jr. [73] Assignee: Ugine Kuhlmann, Paris. France Attorney-Francis Browne 6! 221 Filed: Nov. 2, 1971 21 A l N 195 019 [57] ABSTRACT 1 pp The present invention provides a process for dyeing polypeptide fibres which comprises dyeing said fibres Foreign Applicafiflll Priority Data with an anionic dyestuff in the presence of l) at least Nov. 3, 1970 France 7039457 one polyoxyalkylenated non-ionic dispersing agent resulting from the condensation of an alkylene oxide [52] U.S. Cl 8/54, 8/86, 8/169, ith an aliphatic al hol or an a ylp n a d a 8/172, 8/173 least one polyoxyalkylenated condensate resulting [51] Int. Cl D06p 3/14 from the condensation of an alkylene oxide with an [58] Field of Search 8/54, 86, 41 B, 42 B, aliphatic amine containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms and 8/173, 169 esterification with an oxygen-containing polyacid. There are also provided compositions comprising said [56] References Cited dispersing agents and said polyoxyalkylenated conden- UNITED STATES PATENTS sates- 3,334,960 8/1967 Abel 8/54 7 Claims, No Drawings 3,104,931 9/1963 Casty et al. 8/54 w TREATMENT OF POLYPEPTIDE FIBRES The present invention relates to surface active compositions. lt also relates to the use of such compositions in the dyeing of polypeptide fibres, especially wool, so as to obtain a rapid fixing of the dyestuffs without affecting the evenness of the shades.

It is known that dyeing of polypeptide fibres, especially wool, at boiling temperature, causes degradation of the fibrous substance and a modification of their properties. Operation at elevated temperature (98 to 100 C.), at a pH close to neutrality in order to ensure a proper evenness of shade, and operation for a sufficently long time, leads to a loss of amino acids. A reduction of the tensile strength of the fibres thus treated results, as well as a reduction of their natural elasticity. The yarns or fabrics which have received this dyeing treatment lose a part of their good qualities such as brightness or fullness for which they are generally valued. In addition, this fairly long dyeing process is relatively tedious although the shades obtained have excellent fastness, for example to light, rubbing or washing, as well as an excellent tinctorial yield.

By means of the present invention the dyeing temperature can be appreciably lowered, the period of treatment can be reduced and the operation can be effected at a lower pH which is near to the isoelectric point of the material, while obtaining an excellent tinctorial yield as well as general fastness equivalent to that obtained by the prior technique. Lowering of the pH of the dyebath is not itself normally effected without difficulties, since a more acid pH considerably increases the affinity of the dyestuff for the fibres and this increase is not compensated by the loweringof the temperature. Lack of evenness was to be feared. Besides the advantageous results mentioned above, the process according to the present invention enables uniform shades to be obtained with a variety of anionic dyestuffs used for dyeing wool. These dyestuffs are characterisedgenerally by the fact that they possess sulphonic or carboxylic groups and consequently may belong to the class of acid dyestuffs as defined in the Colour lndex (Volume l, 1956, page 1,001) or to the class of the mordant deystuffs (Colour Index, page 1,405). Among the latter, the dyestuffs described in US. Pat. specification No. 3,547,572 or British Pat. specification No'. 1,001,182 maybe particularly mentioned. The 1:2

metalliferous complexes may also be advantageously used in the process of the invention.

According to the present invention there is provided a process for dyeing polypeptide fibres which comprises dyeing said fibres in the presence-of (-l) at least one polyoxyalklenated non-ionic dispersing agent re- Esters of the above type (2) include those of the general formula:

wherein R represents a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic radical containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms, m and n each represents a whole number, the sum m+n being from three-to 20, p represents one or two and X represents the residue SO Y or the residue PO Y Y representing a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal, the ammonium group or the residue of an organic base of low molecular weight. Compounds of this type have been described, for example, in French Pat. specification No. 1,542,683 of Sept. 4, 1967.

The non-ionic dispersing agents of type (1) include those of the general formula:

R (ocu CH2), 01-1 bly used in such amountsthat the ratio of the first to the sulting from the condensation of an alkylene oxide with an aliphatic alcohol or an alkylphenol and (2) at least one polyoxyalkylenated condensate resulting from the condensation of an alkylene oxide with an aliphatic amine containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms'and esterification with an oxygen-containing polyacid.

The present invention also provides a composition comprising an aqueous mixture of l atleast one polyoxyalkylenated non-ionic dispersing agent resulting from the condensation of an alkylene oxide with an aliphatic alcohol or an alkylphenol and (2) at least one polyoxyalkylenated condensate resulting from the condensation of an alkylene oxide with an aliphatic amine containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms and esterification with an oxygen-containing polyacid.

second is between 0.6 and five (by weight). The use of more than one compound of each of types (1) and (2) is within the scope of the present invention.

The operation-is advantageously carried out as follows: The polypeptide fibres are treated in the aqueous bath containing oneor more compounds of each of type (1) and (2) at a pH near to the isoelectric point of the fibres, and at atemperature between 40 and 85 C the dyestuff is added and dyeing is effected at an approximately constant temperature not exceeding 85 C. The following Examples illustrate the invention with out restricting it. The percentages are by weight unless otherwise specified.

EXAMPLE 1 at 40 C., the ratio of the material to be dyed to the volume of the bath being one to 40. 0.8 percent (based on the weight of wool) of the 1:2 chromium complex of 3 ',4'-dichloro-2'-hydroxy-4-phenylazol -psulphophe- The red shade obtained is even and has a fastness comparable with that obtained by dyeing at 95 to 100 C. for 1 hour or lrhours at pH 6.

EXAMPLE 2 A dyebath is prepared containing 0.65 percent of the product obtained from the condensation of 20 moles of ethylene oxide with one mole of nonylphenol and 0.35 percent of the amphoteric derivative obtained by sulphation and neutralisation with ammonia of the product resulting from the condensation of 7 moles of ethylene oxide with one mole of laurylarnine, .these quantities being determined by weight with respect to the material to be dyed for a bath ratio of one to 12. The pH of the. bath is adjusted to by addition of acetic acid and sodium acetate and bobbins of woolen yarn are treated for minutes at 85 C. by circulation of the bath. The following are then introduced at this temperature: 0.04 percent of the 1:2 chromium complex of 5- ch1oro-2 '-hydroxy-2-phenylazol-hydroxy-4-methylnaphthalene and of 4'-sulpho-2'- hydroxy-l-phenylazo- 2-hydroxy-naphthalene, 0.1 percentv of the 1:2 chronium complex described in Example 1, 0.2 percent of the 1:2 chromium complex of 5' nitro-2'-hydroxy- 4-ph'enylazo-1-m-sulphophenyl-3-methyl-5-hydroxypyrazole and of 5-nitro-2-hydroxy4-phenylazo-lphenyl-3-methyl- S-hydroxy-pyrazole.

The temperature is maintained at 85 C. for an hour, the direction of circulation of the bath being changed every 5 minutes, then the yarn is rinsed and dried. The rose beige shade obtained is uniform and has the fastness which would be obtained by dyeing at 95 to 100 C. at pH 6.5.

EXAMPLE 3 A dyebath is provided containing 1 percent of the productlobtained from the condensation of 23 moles of ethylene oxide with one mole of stearyl alcohol and 0.4 percent of the amphoteric derivative described in Example 2, these quantities being calculated on the weight of the material to be dyed for a bath ratio of one to 15. The pH of the bath is adjusted to 5 by addition of acetic acid and sodium acetate. The wool, in the form of flock, is treated for 10 minutes at 85 C. by circulation of the bath. 1.2 percent of the 1:2 chromium complex of 3'- nitro-2'-hydroxy-2-phenylazo-5-sulphol-hydroxynaphthalene and of 3-nitro-2'-hydroxy-lphenylazo2- hydroxy-4-diethylamino-benzene is then introduced at this temperature.

This temperature of 85 C. is maintained for an hour, the direction of circulation of the bath being changed every 5 minutes. The wool is then rinsed and dried. The blue shade obtained is even and has excellent fastness.

EXAMPLE 4 A dyebath is prepared containing 0.9 percent of the product obtained from the condensation of 20 moles of ethylene oxide with 1 mole of oleyl alcohol and 0.3 percent of the amphoteric derivative obtained by phosphatization of the product resulting from the condensation of 6 moles of ethylene oxide with 1 mole of laurylamine and neutralisation with ammonia, these quantities being calculated on the weight of the material to be dyed. After adjusting the pH to 5, a woollen felt fabric is treated at 40 C. for 5 minutes in this bath, the bath ratio being 1 to 40. 0.5 percent (based on the weight of the fibres) of the 1:2 chromium complex of EXAMPLE 5 A dyebath is provided containing 0.75 percent of the product obtained from the condensation of 20 moles of ethylene oxide with one mole of nonyl phenol and 0.25 percent of the amphoteric derivative obtained by sulphation followed by neutralisation with ammonia of the product resulting from the condensation of 7 moles of ethylene oxide with one mole of laurylamine, these quantities being calculated on the weight of the material to be dyed with the bath ratio being 1 to 12.5. The pH of the bath is buffered at 5 by addition of acetic acid and sodium acetate. Bobbins of woollen yarn are treated at C. for 10 minutes by circulating the bath. 1 percent of the 1:2 naphthalene chromium complex described in Example 2 is then introduced at this temperature. The temperature is maintained at 85 C. for an hour, the direction of circulation of the bath being reversed every 5 minutes. The yarn is rinsed and dried. A perfectly uniform anthracite grey shade is obtained, the fastness of which is equivalent to that of a dyeing at the boil at pH 6.

EXAMPLE 6 A dyebath is prepared containing 0.55 percent of the product obtained from the condensation of 20 moles of ethylene oxide with 1 mole of' nonylphenol and 0.30 percent of the amphoteric derivative obtained by bisulphation followed-by neutralisation with ammonia of the product resulting from the condensation of l 1 moles of ethylene oxide with one mole of copra amine (Noramox C these quantities being determined by weight with respect to the material to be dyed for a bath ratio of one to 12. The pH ofthe bath is adjusted to 4.5 by addition of acetic acid and sodium acetate. 2 G. per litre of ammonium sulphate are then added and the wool in the form of flock istreated for 5 minutes in the bath at 40 C. The following substances are introduced at this temperature:

1.8 percent of 2-hydroxy-1'-naphthalyl-l -azo-4-sulpho-2-hydroxynaphthol in dispersed state;

0.3 percent of (2,6-dich1oro)phenyl-(3-rnethyl-4- hydroxy-5-carboxy)- phenyl-(3-carboxy-4-oxo-5- methyl)-2,5-ylidene-cyclohexadiene-methane;

0.3 percent of bis(3-carboxy-4-hydroxy-5-methy1- phenyl)-( 3- carboxy-4-oxo-5-methyl)-2,5-ylidenecyclohexadienemethane.

The temperature is rapidly raised to 85 C. and is maintained at this figure for 40 minutes. At the same temperature 1.2 percent of sodium dichromate is then introduced and the temperature raised rapidly to 102 C. The temperature is maintained at 102 C. for 20 minutes, then the material is rinsed and dried. The blue shade obtained is uniform and has a fastness which is obtained on effecting the dyeing at pH 6 and at to C. for 1 hour to l hours and chroming at 102 C.

for one-half hour.

EXAMPLE 7 A dyebath is prepared with the same quantities of products described in Example 6. The pH of the bath is adjusted to 5 by addition of acetic acid and sodium acetate. 2 G. per litre of ammonium sulphate are then added. Bobbins of woollen yarn are treated by circulation of the bath while rapidly raising the temperature from 40 to 60 C. Then the following are introduced at 60 C:

0.15 percent of [3 ,2'-dicarboxy-4- phenylaminosulphonyl-benzene]- 1 azo 5 [lmethyl-3-pheny1-4-hydroxy-pyrazole] in a dispersed state;

0.18 percent of 4-(3-methyl-5-nitro-6-hydroxy)- phenyla2o-1-(4- sulpho )-phenyl-3-methyl-5- hydroxy-pyrazole;

0.20 percent of 8-(2-hydroxy-3-chloro-4-sulpho)- phenylazo- 1- acetylamino-7-naphtho1.

The temperature is raised to 90 C. in a period of 50 minutes. 0.3 percent of sodium dichromate isthen in- I troduced and the temperature is raised to 102 C. This temperature is maintained for 15 minutes, then the material is rinsed and dried. The rose beige shade obtained is uniform and has a fastness equal to that obtained by dyeing at pH 6 according to the standard process at 95 to 100 C. which takes 2%, hours.

EXAMPLE 8 A dyebath is prepared with the same quantities of the products described in Example 6. The pH of the bath is adjusted to 5. 2 G. per litre of ammonium sulphate and 10 percent of sodium sulphate, determined by weight with respect to the material to be dyed for a bath ratio of one to 40, are then added. Material consisting of wool-polyamide pullovers is treated for 20 minutes at 40 C. 1.5 percent of [3'-sulpho-4- phenylazo-naphthalene]- 1 azo 1 -[5-sulpho-4- phenylamino-naphthalene] is then introduced.

The temperature is maintained at 40 C. for 20 minutes and is then raised to 85 C. in a period of 40 minutes. It is maintained at this temperature for 45 minutes. The material is then rinsed and dried.

The blue shade obtained is uniform and the seams are perfectly penetrated. In addition, the fastness to water and to washing is comparable with that ,of a dyeing effected at the boil.

EXAMPLE 9 A dyebath is prepared with half the quantities of the products described in Example 6. The pH of the bath is adjusted to 4.5 by addition of acetic acid. Material in the form of flock is then treated by circulation of the bath at 40 C. There are then introduced:

0.15 percent of l-amino-2-bromo-N-(4-methyl-sulphophenyl)-4- amino-anthraquinone;

0.05 percent of [8-hydroxy-6-sulpho-2-aminonaphthalene]- l azo 4 -[N-phenyl-N-ethyl-2- aminosulphonyll-methyl-benzene]; 0.05 percent of [8-hydroxy-6-sulpho-2-amino-naphthalene]- 1 azo 4 -[2,5'-dichloro-4'-sulpho-l-phenyl- 3-methyl-S-hydroxy-pyrazole].

The temperature is raised to 85 C. in a period of 40 minutes. It is maintained at this temperature for 30 minutes, and then the material is rinsed and dried.

The grey shade obtained is uniform and has a fastness equal to that which is obtained on effecting the dyeing at pH 6 and at 95 to 100 C.

I claim:

1. A process for dyeing polypeptide fibers which comprises dyeing said fibers with an anionic dyestuff in the presence of (1) at least one polyoxyalkylenated non-ionic dispersing agent of the formula:

wherein R represents an aliphatic or alkylphenyl radical containing 10 to 22 carbon atoms and q is a whole number from 10 to 50, and (2) at least one polyoxyalkylenated condensate of the formula:

wherein R representsa saturated or unsaturated aliphatic radical containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms, In and n each represents a whole number, the sum of m and n being from three to 20, p represents one or two and X represents the residue SO Y or the residue PO Y Y represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal, the ammonium group or the residue of an organic base of low molecular weight, wherein the ratio of the amount of non-ionic dispersing agent (1), used to the amount of polyoxyalkylenated ester (2) used is between 0.6 and 5 by weight and wherein the dyeing is effected at an approximately constant ternperature not exceeding 85 C., and a pH near to the isoelectric point of the fibers.

2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fibres are first treated in an aqueous bath containing at least one anionic dispersing agent 1) and at least one polyoxyalkylenated ester (2) at a pH near to the isoelectric point of the fibres and at a temperature between 40 and 85 C., the dyestuff is then added and dyeing is effected at an approximately constant temperature not exceeding 85 C.

3. A-composition comprising an aqueous mixture of (1) at least one polyoxyalkylenated non-ionic dispersing agent resulting from the condensation of an alkylene oxide with an aliphatic alcohol or an alkylphenol and (2) at least one polyoxyalkylenated condensate resulting from the condensation of an alkylene oxide with an aliphatic amine containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms and esterification with an oxygen-containing polyacid.

4. A composition as claimed in claim 3 wherein the ester (2) is of theformula:

wherein R represents a saturated or unsaturated ali- R OCH2 CH2) OH I (CH2-CHzO) SOaNH4 wherein R represents an aliphatic or alkylphenyl radical contalnmg 1 to 22 carbon atoms and q is a whole \(CH2 CHZO)H SO3NH4 number from 10 to 50. p 5' 6. A composition as claimed in claim 3 wherein the 7 ratio of the amount of non-ionic dispersing agent used in which m n 11 and R represents the residue of a to the amount of polyoxyalkylenated condensate used copraamine and in which the non-ionic dispersing is between 0.6 and five. agent is the product resulting from the condensation of 7. A composition as claimed in claim 3 wherein the 10 11 moles of ethylene oxide with one mole of nonylphepolyoxylakylenated condensate is the compound of the nol. formula: 

2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fibres are first treated in an aqueous bath containing at least one anionic dispersing agent (1) and at least one polyoxyalkylenated ester (2) at a pH near to the isoelectric point of the fibres and at a temperature between 40* and 85* C., the dyestuff is then added and dyeing is effected at an approximately constant temperature not exceeding 85* C.
 3. A composition comprising an aqueous mixture of (1) at least one polyoxyalkylenated non-ionic dispersing agent resulting from the condensation of an alkylene oxide with an aliphatic alcohol or an alkylphenol and (2) at least one polyoxyalkylenated condensate resulting from the condensation of an alkylene oxide with an aliphatic amine containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms and esterification with an oxygen-containing polyacid.
 4. A composition as claimed in claim 3 wherein the ester (2) is of the formula:
 5. A composition as claimed in claim 3 wherein the non-ionic dispersing agent (1) is of the formula: R'' (-OCH2 - CH2)q - OH wherein R'' represents an aliphatic or alkylphenyl radical containing 10 to 22 carbon atoms and q is a whole number from 10 to
 50. 6. A composition as claimed in claim 3 wherein the ratio of the amount of non-ionic dispersing agent used to the amount of polyoxyalkylenated condensate used is between 0.6 and five.
 7. A composition as claimed in claim 3 wherein the polyoxyalkylenated condensate is the compound of the formula: 